Ajulemic acid, a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid acid, induces apoptosis in human T lymphocytes.

Oral administration of ajulemic acid (AjA), a synthetic nonpsychoactive cannabinoid acid, prevents joint cartilage and bone damage in an experimental model of arthritis in rats. Joint tissue injury in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is due in part to activation of T lymphocytes in the synovium, and T lymphocytes in synovium of RA patients are resistant to apoptosis. Thus, a potential mechanism whereby AjA prevents joint tissue injury in the animal model might be enhanced apoptosis of T lymphocytes.